It was a terrifying moment, so I did what any self-respecting 21st Century man would do. I picked up my phone and started rolling Live on Facebook. June 29 had been a warm, sunny day, but as the afternoon wore on, ominous clouds gathered and it was clear we were in for a storm. The TV stations began to bark that this might be more than just a normal summer thunder-bumper. Jenni took the grandkids down to the playroom in the basement, the safest room in our home, and Deserai, my daughter-in-law, and I poked our heads out the front door to take a gander. I am told that the experts with all … [Read more...] about Messes to Blessings: Walking by Faith and Not by Sight
The Nationalization of the SBC: Challenging Convention Orthodoxy
Do you know how many people the Southern Baptist Convention baptized last year? I am guessing that in this knowledgeable, astute group, most know the correct answer. ZERO. Churches baptize. Conventions don't. We are a convention of independent churches who fellowship and cooperate to do Great Commission work together. The work that matters most in our convention does not take place in Nashville or Alpharetta or Richmond but in churches across North America. Our churches – big and little, old and new, traditionalist and trendy, young and hip or old and stodgy – that is where the rubber … [Read more...] about The Nationalization of the SBC: Challenging Convention Orthodoxy
Baptist in the Spirit, Part 3: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
I began this series before I headed to Africa. I brought some kind of bacterial infection home (at first, we thought it might be malaria, then a parasite, now the thinking is a bacterial infection) that gave me a pretty miserable week, which I will not describe. I hope to get back to writing a couple of these a week. The Holy Spirit did not suddenly appear in a blaze of glory on Pentecost, baptizing believers and filling them for the grand task Jesus had given them. He has always been active among the people of God since he hovered over the face of the deep as God was creating the … [Read more...] about Baptist in the Spirit, Part 3: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Is God Judging America?
I hear there is another hurricane brewing in the Atlantic. That means there will also be another bevy of voices pronouncing God’s judgment on this sinful nation. It happens every time there’s a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, snowpocalypse, or any other natural or man-made disaster. Some Christian identifies it either as a fulfillment of prophecy or an outpouring of God’s wrath against our manifold sin. Of course, many scoff at such an idea. A God of love in an age of grace would never send a hurricane to hurt good, innocent people. He is a God who loves, blesses, and encourages. He does … [Read more...] about Is God Judging America?
Tell Your 9/11 Story
I am back from Africa with a souvenir virus/bacteria/parasite that my doctor will try to ID today. I hope to add some real stuff soon. But I was reading social media posts where people were giving their 9/11 stories. I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard about JFK. On September 11, 2001, i had a pastors' meeting in my home. Awaiting their arrival I flipped on the TV at the moment the second plane hit the tower on live TV. America has never been the same. Share your stories, thoughts, feelings. … [Read more...] about Tell Your 9/11 Story
Baptist in the Spirit, Part 2: Overview
We Baptists have some genuine strengths. We tend to love and (in theory, at least) be moored to the word of God. We have programs, curricula, and ministry resources that are unmatched in the denominational or parachurch world. Our Sunday Schools, VBS ministries, youth and discipleship ministries are used even by other denominations. In spite of our statistical woes, we still love the Gospel, the word, and we still preach Christ crucified. Of course, there is the Cooperative program and a sterling worldwide missions program. But the Holy Spirit? Him, we struggle with. We don’t like to admit … [Read more...] about Baptist in the Spirit, Part 2: Overview
Baptist in the Spirit, Part 1: One Thing Changed!
As much as I love humor, I generally avoid any kind of joke involving the Divine. God’s glory inspires many emotions, but amusement does not seem to be an appropriate one. However, there is a corny old joke that makes a valuable point. A man was trapped in a flood on top of a barn. He prayed, calling out to God and a voice came from heaven saying, “I will save you, my son.” With that confidence, he relaxed on the roof and awaited his rescue. Soon, a man in a canoe came by and told him there was room in the front. The man said no because he was waiting for God to save him. As the waters … [Read more...] about Baptist in the Spirit, Part 1: One Thing Changed!
Why I Devote Little Time to “Calling Out” Left Wing People and Groups
I hear it all the time. During the election, when I expressed my angst or my disgust about the actions of my former political party, the GOP (technically, due to laziness, I haven't taken the time to officially change my registration), I would immediately and consistently be met with a chorus of, "but what about Hillary?" responses. I was asked why I didn't confront her and condemn her more regularly. That has continued in several different forms but has come to a head recently in the Alt-right, KKK, White supremacist issues that have arisen in our land, especially the one that happened in … [Read more...] about Why I Devote Little Time to “Calling Out” Left Wing People and Groups
Frustration, Irritation, and the Race Issue: Confessions from the SBC Voices “Brain Trust”
We had a discussion today on our private “editorial board forum.” That's a fancy term for our private Facebook group that started out as our Pastors’ Conference advisory board. Now it's where we gather to solve the world's problems, talk about sports, and discuss issues related to this blog. "Brain trust" might be a generous term at times, but it's the closest thing SBC Voices has. Today our attention turned to our recent discussions of race. Our contributors here have a wide range of view on many subjects, but on issues related to racial reconciliation, we tend to operate from the … [Read more...] about Frustration, Irritation, and the Race Issue: Confessions from the SBC Voices “Brain Trust”
Robert Jeffress and Romans 13: Troubling Comments
We Southern Baptists are back in the news this week, and it isn’t for our gospel efforts. A few days ago, in a statement to the Brody File, Robert Jeffress, the pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, made this statement. When it comes to how we should deal with evil doers, the Bible, in the book of Romans, is very clear: God has endowed rulers full power to use whatever means necessary — including war — to stop evil. In the case of North Korea, God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong-Un. I’m heartened to see that our president — contrary to what we’ve seen with past … [Read more...] about Robert Jeffress and Romans 13: Troubling Comments